Best Brady Carlson Podcasts (2025)

1
When Teenager Michael Chang Beat The World’s Top Tennis Player At The French Open 3:17

1h ago3:17

3:17

On any given day, anybody can defeat anybody else. Today in 1989, a not very well known American tennis player proved it with an upset for the ages against one of the top names in the sport. Plus: starting Saturday in Lincoln, Nebraska, it’s the Flatland Juggling Festival. How Michael Chang defeated Ivan Lendl at the French Open in 1989 (The Guardi…

1
Tyromancy Is The Practice Of Fortune Telling Through Cheese 3:20

1d ago3:20

3:20

It's National Cheese Day, and while cheese is one of the world’s most influential foods, that's not the whole story. Some people claim that they can tell the future through cheese. Plus: for athletes who get tired just thinking about triathlons now have a race of their own: the Nice Tri. The Un-Brie-Lievable History of Tyromancy (Saveur) The Nice T…

1
Living Wall Coatings Could Make City Buildings Greener 3:01

11h ago3:01

3:01

Researchers in Austria and Slovenia have been developing a set of living surfaces to apply to the sides of buildings, that can filter pollutants and capture carbon from the air, and maybe even repair cracks to the buildings' exteriors. Plus: this Friday in Indiana, it’s the Strawberry Festival in downtown Kokomo. Living tattoos for buildings could …

1
The ReefRanger Is A Robot That Could Help Restore Coral Reefs 3:01

1d ago3:01

3:01

A lot of people are trying to do something to help coral reefs these days. Now, those people can some help themselves from a robot. Plus: Texas-based artist Montrel Beverly is winning lots of attention for eye-catching recreations of famous artworks made of pipe cleaners. Robots that can climb trees or restore coral reefs (ETH Zurich) Montrel Bever…

1
Home Sweet Home Week: There’s A House In The Middle Of France’s Loire River 2:41

4d ago2:41

2:41

This week we're replaying some of our favorite episodes about houses and the people who live in them. In this episode from September 2022, La maison dans la Loire, or “The House In The Loire,” which was a house built for an art installation. Plus: Baltimore is home to the Big Dill, otherwise known as the “World’s Largest Pickle Party.” The Famous H…

1
Home Sweet Home Week: In The 60s, There Was A Plan To Make Houses Out Of Heineken Bottles 3:00

5d ago3:00

3:00

This week we're replaying some of our favorite episodes about houses and the people who live in them. In this episode from April 2022, beer magnate Alfred Heineken and architect John Habraken designed a house that could be built out of used Heineken bottles. Plus: it’s beer day every day at a spot in Taunton, Massachusetts. 100,000 Bottles of Beer …

1
Danyese LaClair | Holdback Information 25:06

7d ago25:06

25:06

When a woman’s body was found in a field, the police found a potential piece of evidence in the grass. But they decided to hold that information back, leading some to wonder if that is what stalled the investigation. If you have any information, call the Burton Police Department at (810) 742-2542 or the Crimestoppers at 1-800-422-JAIL. This case is…

1
Home Sweet Home Week: The Spite House, An Elegant, Expensive Way To Get Back At Somebody 2:57

7d ago2:57

2:57

This week we're replaying some of our favorite episodes about houses and the people who live in them. In this episode from September 2021, a look at spite houses, structures that have been built to block other coveted views or for maybe even more ice cold reasons. Plus: an interesting fact about Michelangelo's David. Five Spite Houses in New Englan…

1
Home Sweet Home Week: A Guy In Massachusetts Made Pretty Much His Whole House Out Of Old Newspapers 2:57

8d ago2:57

2:57

This week we're replaying some of our favorite episodes about houses and the people who live in them. In this episode from June 2022, the story of a guy in Rockport, Massachusetts who made almost an entire house out of old newspapers. Plus: a visit to the Mentone Egg Festival in northern Indiana. The Paper House—made of 100,000 newspapers—has a wor…

1
Home Sweet Home Week: They Built A Real-Life Simpsons House In Nevada 3:08

9d ago3:08

3:08

This week we're replaying some of our favorite episodes about houses and the people who live in them. In this episode from December 2019, the story of the full-size, three-dimensional replica of the old Simpson place in Henderson, Nevada. Plus: the closest real-life community to the Simpsons' hometown, Springfield, may not be a Springfield at all. …

1
Leonard Nimoy Once Drove The Bangles Around In A Music Video 3:01

12d ago3:01

3:01

Today in 1984, the release of The Bangles' debut album, All Over The Place. For one of the videos to promote that album, these 80s icons got a little help from an icon from the 60s. Plus: starting today in Louisiana, it’s the Gonzales Jambalaya Festival. Leonard Nimoy drove the Bangles to video stardom (Albany Park Press) Gonzales Jambalaya Festiva…

1
When Mailman Floyd Martin Retired, The People On His Route Gave Him A Big Sendoff 3:10

13d ago3:10

3:10

Today in 2019, a community in suburban Atlanta wanted to show its appreciation for mailman Floyd Martin, who had been a daily part of their lives for more than three decades. Plus: starting today in Springfield, Illinois, it’s the International Carillon Festival. When their mailman retired, the neighbors along his route threw him one heck of a good…

1
Emmett Corrigan | Crossroads 47:57

14d ago47:57

47:57

When a confrontation between a husband and the man his wife was having an affair with erupted in violence, two families were left to grapple with what led to that moment and how to move forward. Read Ashlee’s book: Silence Breaks: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22873779-silence-breaks See me at the True Crime Podcast Festival! https://www.true…

1
Betty Crocker May Not Be A Real Person, But She’s Been A Real Help To Bakers For Years 3:35

14d ago3:35

3:35

We're a few days out from World Baking Day, so here's the story of a woman who’s helped people find their way around the kitchen for more than a century… even though she isn’t a real person. Plus: starting tomorrow in Jeffersonville, Indiana, it’s Abbey Road on the River. Who Was Betty Crocker? (PBS) Abbey Road on the River You can be a helper to o…

1
How The Streisand Effect Makes The Information People Want Hidden More Popular 3:41

15d ago3:41

3:41

Today in 2003, the filing of a lawsuit that led to a fascinating and significant phenomenon here in the Information Age: it’s known as the Streisand Effect. Plus: for World Bee Day, the story of a 2014 art project created in part by bees! Streisand files $50 million lawsuit over aerial photos (SFGate) Artist Aganetha Dyck Collaborates with Bees to …

1
Ohio Was The 17th State, And Also Kind Of The 48th 3:08

16d ago3:08

3:08

Today in 1953, Ohio became a state... which was weird because Ohio had already been a state for a century and a half. Technicalities can be that way. Plus: for National Pizza Party Day, the story of a guy in Nashville who used social media to connect people in need with donors willing to send a little pizza their way. Ohio: The 48th State? (Ohio Hi…

1
Calvin Coolidge’s Family Kept Their Pet “William Johnson Hippopotamus” At The National Zoo 3:17

19d ago3:17

3:17

This month in 1927, Americans were fawning over an animal at the National Zoo in Washington: a presidential hippo named Billy. Plus: starting today in Elizabeth City, it’s the North Carolina Potato Festival. The Presidential Hippopotamus at the National Zoo (WETA) North Carolina Potato Festival Want more shows about famous zoo animals? Back our sho…

1
Williamina Fleming, The Onetime Maid Who Became A Legendary Astronomer 3:17

20d ago3:17

3:17

Today in 1857, the birthday of Williamina Fleming, a big name in the world of astronomy but one who had a pretty low-profile start. Plus: starting tomorrow in Illinois, it’s the Long Grove Chocolate Festival. Williamina Fleming, From Scottish Maid to Harvard Astronomer (New England Historical Society) Long Grove Chocolate Festival Help this show sh…

1
Becky Bliefnick | Images in the Dark 42:02

22d ago42:02

42:02

Becky Bliefnick was ready to have her divorce settled so she could move on. She and her estranged husband fought almost every issue but none more than whether his father should be around their children unsupervised. Were any of those conflicts enough to end in murder? Becky Bliefnick Memorial Fund: https://gofund.me/cf34b08e This case is solved. Th…

1
Stop Signs Used To Be Yellow 3:01

21d ago3:01

3:01

There may be no more important part of road safety than the bright red stop sign, though in the early days, they weren’t red. Plus: Leonardo the tortoise went missing from his home in England; after nine months, he didn't exactly get that far. Stop Signs Used to Be Yellow—More Recently Than You Think (Readers Digest) Tortoise missing for months fou…

1
The Real-Life Kid Who Inspired Ezra Jack Keats’ “The Snowy Day” 3:31

22d ago3:31

3:31

Today in 1940, Life Magazine published a series of photos of a little boy in Liberty County, Georgia - photos that, two decades later, would inspire one of the most famous picture books ever published. Plus: this Saturday in South Bend, Indiana, it’s the Donut & Beer Festival. The Enduring Footprints of Peter, Ezra Jack Keats, and The Snowy Day (Th…

1
The Strange Story Of Ireland’s Worst Driver Ever 3:36

23d ago3:36

3:36

It's United Nations Global Road Safety Week, so here's the story of a driver in Ireland who seemed to be breaking every traffic law on the books... until the authorities figured out there was something more to their story. Plus: underway this week in Washington state, it’s the Spokane Lilac Festival. Dictionary helps crack case of notorious Polish …

1
“Pomp And Circumstance,” A Graduation Musical Tradition, Was Not Written For Graduations 3:01

26d ago3:01

3:01

Commencement season is here, which means a lot of people hearing a composition known as “Pomp and Circumstance.” Though that piece of music was not written with graduation in mind. Plus: today in 2023, a herd of cows help catch a guy who'd fled a traffic stop (!) The Beautiful Irony of Pomp and Circumstance (WCRB) After man flees traffic stop, cows…

1
Oatman, Arizona, The Gold Rush Town That’s Now Home To Wild Donkeys 3:00

27d ago3:00

3:00

It’s World Donkey Day, so we're visiting an Arizona ghost town that's visited by a nearby colony of wild donkeys. Plus: in 2018 a donkey sanctuary in Ontario started giving its donkeys pants! How one town became infested with donkeys (ABC 10) Dapper donkeys: sanctuary fights flies with tailored trousers (CTV News) Want more donkey episodes like thi…

1
Karina Holmer | The Boston Au Pair Murder 45:29

28d ago45:29

45:29

Karina Holmer knew within two months that being an au pair was not the job for her. She began to make plans to go home to Sweden, but she was killed after a night out with friends. With conflicting witness statements and no clear answers, the police are still waiting on the one tip that could bring this case together. Anyone with information is ask…

1
We Could Run Our Smart Speakers By Writing Into The Air 3:01

28d ago3:01

3:01

Smart speakers can be really useful, but only if you have a voice to activate them. A new device called Scribe could help nonverbal users with their smart systems by letting them "write" commands into the air. Plus: RoboCake is, you guessed it, a robotic wedding cake featuring a series of dancing gummy bears. An Alternative to Speech: Writing in th…

1
The Only Guy Who Ever Broke Into The Bank Of England’s Vault Of Gold 3:02

29d ago3:02

3:02

Thanks to loads of security measures, no one has ever robbed the Bank of England. But if you ask whether anyone’s broken into the bank's famous gold vaults, the answer is a little more complicated. Plus: the English town of Burslem is about to dedicate a statue of a local rocker made good, Motorhead frontman Lemmy. Has any gold ever been stolen fro…

1
Chimps Apparently Like To Get Together For Drinks 3:01

30d ago3:01

3:01

Many people like to get together from time to time for adult beverages. New research finds chimpanzees apparently also gather to imbibe and share alcohol. Plus: trading card fans in Japan are enjoying cards that feature... middle aged guys doing their everyday jobs and hobbies? New Study Suggests Chimpanzees May Enjoy “Social Drinking” Just Like Hu…

1
Map Week: Every Six Months This Island Switches Countries 3:05

1M ago3:05

3:05

This week we're replaying some of our favorite episodes about maps and geography. In this episode from July 2020, the story of Pheasant Island, which is administered by several sovereign powers but not simultaneously. Spain and France take turns with it. Plus: auto racing fans in Lublin, Poland found a way to root for their favorite drivers while s…

1
Map Week: Canada Was Almost Named “Borealia” 3:08

1M ago3:08

3:08

This week we're replaying some of our favorite episodes about maps and geography. In this episode from July 2020, the story of how Canada got its name, and a few of the country's most interesting alternates. Plus: several Canadian Tire stores in Ontario had to briefly shut down because a glitch made every item the workers scanned show up in the com…

1
Crystal Girard | The Conviction of Lynn DeJac (Patreon Archive) 1:07:33

1M ago1:07:33

1:07:33

On February 13, 1993, Lynn Dejac called 911 to tell the police that her boyfriend was in her home and refused to leave. He left before the police arrived and then so did Lynn, leaving her two children home alone overnight. What happened that night would take 13 years to untangle though the official answer remains in dispute. This case is unsolved. …

1
Map Week: How To Find Where You Are In Just Three Words 3:10

1M ago3:10

3:10

This week we're replaying some of our favorite episodes about maps and geography. In this episode from August 2019, the app what3words breaks down all the spaces on earth into 3 meter by 3 meter squares and assigns each of those squares a unique set of three words, giving us a new way to pinpoint our locations. Plus: Athens, Wisconsin is home to th…

1
Map Week: Earth Has Five Oceans Now, But Also Just One Ocean, It’s Complicated 3:07

1M ago3:07

3:07

This week we're replaying some of our favorite episodes about maps and geography. In this episode from June 2021, a look at when the geographic powers that be recognized the Southern Ocean as its own entity, and also where the word "ocean" comes from. Plus: a South Korean designer develops a wearable “third eye” that watches for and warns you about…

1
Map Week: Point No Point And Other Amazing, Actual Places 2:58

1M ago2:58

2:58

This week we're replaying some of our favorite episodes about maps and geography. In this episode from July 2019, a look at Sad Topographies, a site that collects the most bummed-out place names on the map. Plus: If places with depressing names aren’t your thing, we've got an upbeat event: the annual World Santa Claus Congress in Denmark. 21 Of The…

1
Ella Fitzgerald And Marilyn Monroe Were Kind Of Besties For A While 3:09

1M ago3:09

3:09

Today in 1917, the birthday of Ella Fitzgerald, a towering figure in jazz, a legendary voice, a star among stars… especially when she became pals with movie icon Marilyn Monroe. Plus: starting today in Georgia, it’s the Thomasville Rose Show and Festival. Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe: Inside Their Surprising Friendship (Biography) THOMASVILLE…

1
A Political Dispute In Washington State Led To A Weird Race Between The Governor And Lieutenant Governor 3:32

1M ago3:32

3:32

Around this time in 1938, Washington state politics got really, really weird, when the Governor and Lieutenant Governor raced to return to the state to block each other. Plus: starting tomorrow in Houston, the World Coffee Roasting Championship. Meyers, Victor A. (1897-1991) (HistoryLink) 2025 World Coffee Championships Race on over to our Patreon …

1
Manuela Silverio | The Wig Shop Murder 56:09

1M ago56:09

56:09

In 1998, a young man committed a random attack in a Houston wig shop. A suspect was identified and while the victims and their families say they have the right person, he has maintained his innocence for over 25 years. This case is solved. Support the show! Get the exclusive show Beyond the Files plus Crimelines episodes ad free on Supercast: https…

1
When Key West Left The US To Become The Conch Republic 3:39

1M ago3:39

3:39

Today in 1982, Key West, Florida, decided it was time to do its own thing, declaring independence from the United States and forming its own country. We'll explain why. Plus: this week in Indiana, the Orleans Dogwood Festival continues. The Founding of the Conch Republic (ConchRepublic.com) Orleans Dogwood Festival What do you say we be independent…

1
Planet Earth Got Its Name From The Earth Beneath Us 3:01

1M ago3:01

3:01

Happy Earth Day. Our planet is the only one in our solar system not named for a Greek or Roman god. At the risk of sounding flip, the name Earth comes from… earth. Plus: this weekend in North Carolina, it’s the Asheville Bread Festival. Why is Earth called 'Earth'? (BBC Sky At Night) Asheville Bread Festival We invite all Earthlings to back this sh…

1
Queen Elizabeth II Wrote A Letter To Sydney, Australia That Won’t Be Opened Until 2085 3:01

1M ago3:01

3:01

Today in 1926, the birthday of Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning queen on record, and one that left a letter that she said shouldn’t be opened until the year 2085. Plus: for National Tea Day in the UK, a visit to the world’s largest collection of teapots (which is not in the UK). The Queen Left Behind A Secret Letter That Cannot Be Opened Un…

1
A Town In Northern Japan Says It’s Home To The “Tomb Of Christ” 3:07

2M ago3:07

3:07

There’s a town in northern Japan that bills itself as the actual hometown of Jesus, and points visitors to a place named the tomb or grave of Christ. Not the Easter story most of us have heard. Plus: just outside the Austrian town of Gmünd, there’s a divided chapel, with parts on both sides of a road. Weird Legend of Jesus in Japan (ABC News) The D…

1
In Sweden And Finland, The Thursday Before Easter Is The Time For Trick-Or-Treating Witches 3:01

2M ago3:01

3:01

We're just a few days away from Easter for many people around the world. For kids in Finland and Sweden, the Thursday before Easter is itself a pretty important time: it’s when they turn themselves into witches. Plus: today in 1967 was the last episode of the sitcom Gilligan’s Island. So we've got a story about a time the TV audience of the 60s sto…

1
Pearl Pinson | Missing from Vallejo CA 24:04

2M ago24:04

24:04

Pearl Pinson left for school one morning and, in full view of witnesses, was kidnapped as she walked. A shoot out with the prime suspect changed the course of this investigation, but the answer to “where is Pearl?” is something the right tip can bring in. If you know anything, please call the Solano County Sheriff's Office 707-421-7090 or NCMEC at …

1
On The Micronesian Island Of Yap, Huge Stone Discs Are Used As Money 3:20

2M ago3:20

3:20

This is Money Smart Week, so we're going to look at what exactly money is and what it means, by looking at a kind of money on a Pacific island made out of huge stones. Plus: a shopping plaza in Greenfield, Massachusetts includes an ATM nestled inside a large fiberglass tree. The Island Of Stone Money (NPR) WOW: You Can Get Money Out of a Tree in Th…

1
A Museum In Virginia Is Home To A Ham From 1902 3:01

2M ago3:01

3:01

It's National Ham Day, so we've got the story of a ham in Smithfield, Virginia that’s stood the test of time for over 120 years. Plus: if you build the LEGO Colosseum set, and you have a cat, that set could quickly turn into a cat bed. Isle of Wight Museum adds a new historic ham to the collection (WTKR) LEGO’s Colosseum Becomes a Regal Nap Spot fo…

1
Don Calhoun, The Fan Who Hit The Chicago Bulls’ “Million Dollar Shot” 3:59

2M ago3:59

3:59

Lots of teams have fans try really difficult challenges to win big prizes. Nearly all of them fail, but today in 1993, a guy in Chicago stepped onto the Bulls' home court for a million dollar shot… and made it. Plus: today in 1983, the release of “Murmur,” the first full album by rock greats R.E.M. And during the making of that record, a member of …

1
The Shafia Family Part 2 50:39

2M ago50:39

50:39

In June of 2009, a Nissan Sentra with four bodies in it was pulled from a canal near Kingston, Ontario. In part 1, we discussed the backstory of the family at the center of this case and now, in part 2, we’ll discuss the crime scene, the timeline, the changing stories, and the final resolution. This case is solved Support Right To Learn Afghanistan…

1
America’s Oldest Board Game Was A Road Trip Through The Early US 3:01

2M ago3:01

3:01

It's National Board Game Day, so we’re going back in time to the very first board game in US history. Though explaining which game was the very first is slightly complicated. Plus: opening tomorrow in Kansas City, it’s the Museum of BBQ. What America’s first board game can teach us about the aspirations of a young nation (The Conversation) Museum o…

1
Walter Hunt Invented The Modern Safety Pin To Pay Off A $15 Debt 3:05

2M ago3:05

3:05

Today in 1849, the US issued a patent for one of the smallest big ideas of the century: the safety pin. And a big factor behind that little invention was paying off a big debt. Plus: today in 1921, the birthday of Robert Wade, a chess master who once proved that even top notch players can have a bad day. Three Millennia of Safety Pins (The Atlantic…

1
The Shafia Family Part 1 56:27

2M ago56:27

56:27

When the bodies of four women and girls were pulled from a car in a canal, the community rallied around the grieving family who suffered an inexplicable accident. But the police, from the very start, believed they could explain what happened and it was no accident. This case is solved Thank you to this week's sponsor Spot & Tango! For a limited tim…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Brady Carlson Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen